New Zealand's culture is very
unique and not like anyone else's.
People
Approximately 3,951,307 people live in New Zealand. Most of the people are European, Maori,
Asian, and Pacific Islander. 99% of the people in New Zealand are educated and unemployment is low. The average life expectancy
in New Zealand for a man is 75 years and for a woman 81.
Languages
The three official language's of New Zealand are
Maori, English and NZ Sign Language (NZSL). Maori is a Polynesian language similar to the languages of other Pacific Island
cultures. Some cultures are Hawaiian, Samoan, and Tongan. Over 157,000 people in New Zealand speak Maori. English is the language
of day-to-day business within New Zealand. It is also a remant of ties to the British Commonwealth.
Food
New
Zealanders have many cultural foods that they eat. Some examples are Ginger Beer, Afghan Biscuits, Roast Lamb, Pavlovas (which
are mixed berries with heavy chilled cream) Banana Sandwiches, Golden Syrup and Gingernuts (which is a type of granola bar).
Religion
Most of the people in New Zealand
are Christian, but there is also three-fifths of the population that adhere to the Anglican, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic,
and Methodist denominations. Protestant, Eastern Orthodox, Jewish congregations and Maori adaptation make up the rest.
Sports
The most popular sport in New Zealand is Rugby Football.
New Zealands team, the All Blacks, is one of the world's best. Before each international game they perform a version of the
Haka (a type of cultural dance). The sport also has a world cup just like soccer. Another popular sport in
New Zealand is netball. The national team, the Silver Ferns, has won the world championship several times.
